Residents of Launceston have slammed plans for a new asphalt plant over concerns that dangerous toxins could harm children at nearby schools.

One woman has claimed that patients with respiratory problems at the hospital and nursing home close to the proposed plant could also be at risk.

Earlier this year Cormac Solutions Ltd submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council for the erection and use of an asphalt plant, together with facilities including offices, a lorry park, storage bays, weighbridge, workshop and dust/sand barn.

The plant would be located on Pennygillam Industrial Estate next to the Suez Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

Cormac currently uses the site at Bangors Quarry to accept, sort and process soils, stone and road planing from its own operations in the locality.

The application also proposes to engineer a new internal road to create a new site entrance at Bangors Road with closure of current entrance at Quarry Lane and restoration to woodland, demolition of a former mobile plant garage, some tree/vegetation removal and installation of culvert.

The application states: "The development will meet the demand for road construction and improvements projects in Cornwall for the next 25 years as well as the current highways maintenance termed contract.

"The proposed development at Bangors will enable the aggregates and recycling division to produce asphalt mixes in the east of the county, avoiding sole reliance on the operation at Penzance and improving efficiency by offering a product closer to its point of use."

It continued: "The Bangors site is a former stone quarry operated under a disposal license for municipal landfill until the early 1990s.

"The quarry was known as Bangor Cornish Quarry and is shown on historic maps as voids in the west as far back as 1884, but probably quarried before then."

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Many residents in the area have raised concerns about the potential increased traffic, noise and pollution.

Launceston resident Tammy Grimes commented on the Cornwall Council planning portal: "Absolutely outrageous idea. There is no need for this plant. I believe this asphalt plant is over 40 years old and will cost thousands of pounds to get this up to scratch.

"If there was a local need for an asphalt plant then grey stone quarry asphalt plant wouldn't of shut. There are adequate plants nearby which are in use.

"Having an existing nearby primary school and another being built within a mile, I feel it is wrong to produce dangerous toxins so close to these children playing in our schools.

"There is also nearby a hospital and nursing home with patients with respiratory problems. I strongly object to this planning."

Simon Franklin also commented: "We live in Daws House very close to the suggested development.

"Asphalt plants are known to develop known toxins and can cause breathing difficulties. We have children and there are a number of schools close by, do we really want to put their health at risk.

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"A recent application was refused at Polyphant and this application should also be refused. In my opinion develop the site in Penzance or otherwise a new plant should not be anywhere near a residential area.

"Please refuse this application, these plants are linked to cancer and other diseases. Please look after the community of Launceston."

Laura Gubbin of South Petherwin wrote: "I object as this will be so close to the village of South Petherwin. The pollution and dust created will have a negative impact on the environment, also there is a school in the village where the children would be playing outside and breathing this in and also when we are in our gardens.

"It will create more noise pollution and a lot more traffic."

She continued: "It is going to reduce house prices. People move to a country village for a reason. Not to be living next to an asphalt plant."